Some Common French Phrases

These phrases are some of the most useful French phrases for daily
life in a French society.
C'est pas grave
Full Form: Ce n'est pas grave; in speech, the n negation is
left out, in this and just about all phrases said out loud
Literally translated as it's not grave (grave meaning bad),
the expression means no problem or something equally
casual
This phrase is used ALL the time in France, even in situations
where, indeed, a problem has been created. The natural
response is c'est pas grave. Did someone just spill red wine
on a white blouse you spent hundreds of Euros for on the
Champs-lyses? The gracious response isc'est pas grave.
T'en fais pas
Full Form: Ne t'en fais pas; the n is dropped
Literally Translated: don't make yourself about it, the
expression means don't bother or don't worry about it
This phrase is used often to reassure you that you don't
need to make something into your problem. Did your
colleague just ask you to switch shifts with her, but you can't
come at the time she's looking for? Her response: t'en fais
pasje me dbrouillerais. The latter phrase, also quite
common, means I'll figure something out.
Pas mal
Full Form: Ce n'est pas mal
Literally Translated: not bad, this expression can mean
something better than not bad. Whereas in English, not
bad is often used as a neutral judgment of something, pas
mal can mean anything from it's good to it's
fantastic depending on the context
This phrase is often used in approval of something. When it
is used to mean that something is truly awesome, it usually
has a touch of appreciation to it, as if the positive outcome
was unexpected. Did a complete underdog just win
an tape of the Tour de France after yesterday falling off his
bike and taking half of the pack with him? This is a context
for sincere appreciation, both of the accomplishment and of
the irony of the situation.
'Vachement (bien)'
Full Form: C'est vachement (bien): bien can be replaced
by a slew of describing words
Literally Translated: Cowly good!: this is one case where a
literal translation is not only inaccurate, but also quite funny;
the phrase meansexceptionally good or amazingly good
This phrase is an oft-used exclamation for some French
speakers. Have you been looking for a job for months and
one of your best friends just got you an interview at her
company, so you'd not only be employed, but also be able to
share your coffee breaks with her? Your response: c'est
vachement bien!.
Frequently Incorrectly Translated Phrases
Often, when trying to translate English to French, learners create
exact translations that are not equivalent to the appropriate French
phrase. These common French phrases are frequently translated as
something other than the correct form; the correct phrase will be
understood better than the direct translation.
Moi non plus
This common phrase means me neither, but if you translate each
word directly, what you get is me no longer. If you look
up neither in the dictionary, you're likely to find nini (used
for neithernor). Either way, a direct translation fails, but the
phrase is common enough to make mastering it a necessity.


Tu me manques
This is a complicated one for those just starting out with French.
Literally translated, you get you me miss, which one is tempted to
turn into you miss me; however, the meaning is opposite of that.
The actual meaning is I miss you. Manquer is a verb that takes
what is considered in English to be the object (you) as the subject
instead. Complicated at first, but with a bit of exposure it comes out
right.
On sait jamais
Many phrases that use you in English use on instead in French.
Instead of sayingyou never know, in French, you would say one
never knows. In situations where you would say you never know in
English, insert on sait jamais instead. There are several
expressions like this, so this habit is well worth picking up!
Basic Tourist French Phrases

Taking the Train
The train is the easiest way to get around in Paris, the surrounding
neighborhoods, and through France. It is relatively cheap, and most
people use it to travel through Europe as well. The following phrases
may come in handy.
The Train Station
French Pronunciation English
Est-ce que c'est le bon quai pour
le train de. . .(Paris, Marseilles,
etc.)
eh-skuh say luh bohn kay poor
luh trehn duh
Is this the right
platform for the train
to. . .
Est-ce que la place est prise? eh-skuh lah plahs ay preez Is this seat taken?
Je voudrais l'horaire. zhuh-voo-dray l'oorair I'd like the schedule.
Je voudrais un billet en aller
retour pour. . .
zhuh-voo-dray uhn-bee-yay
ehn-ah-lay ruh-toor poor...
I'd like a round trip
ticket to. . .
Je voudrais un billet en aller
simple pour...
zhuh-voo-dray uhn-bee-yay
ehn-ah-lay sahm-pluh poor...
I'd like a one way
ticket to. . .
The Train Station
French Pronunciation English
O est le guichet? ooh-ay-luh-gee-shay Where's the ticket
counter?
O sommes-nous? oo sum-noo Where are we?
Quand part le prochain train pour kahn pahr luh proh-shehn trehn
poor. . .
When does the next
rain for ____ leave?
Quel est le tarif jusqu' Paris? kell-ay luh-tah-reef zhuh-skah
Pah-ree
How much does it cost
for a ticket to Paris?
Taking a Cab
If you're not willing or able to take the train, a cab is your next best
bet. You'll pay more, but at least you won't get lost. Additionally,
most taxi cab drivers, at least in Paris itself, speak some English.
In the Cab
French Pronunciation English
Combien est-ce que je vous dois? coh-bee-ehn eskuh zhuh voo
dwah
How much do I owe
you?
Est-ce que vous pouvez
m'emmener . . .
eh-skuh voo poo-vay muh-muh-
nay ah
Can you take me to. .
.
Je suis press(e). zhuh-swee-preh-say I'm in a hurry.
Je voudrais aller zhuh voo-dray ah-lay ah I'd like to go to. . .
Pouvez-vous m'attendre? poo-vay voo mah-tahn-druh Can you wait for me?
Tourner gauche/droite toor-nay ah goe-sh/dwot Turn right/left
Renting a Car
Renting a car is generally only advisable for tourists who want to
traverse the country. With that said, if renting a car is in your plans,
the following translations can be helpful.
Traveling by Car
French Pronunciation English
Dois-je payer par kilomtre ? dwah-zhuh pay-yay pahr kee-lo-
met-ruh
Do I pay by kilometer?
Je voudrais louer un voiture
s'il vous plat
zhuh voo-dray loo-ay uhn vwah-
toor see-voo-play
I'd like to rent a car
please
L'assurance est-elle comprise
?
lah-soor-ahns et-ell cohm-preez Is insurance included?
Le plein s'il vous plat. luh plehn see-voo-play Fill it up, please
O est le station-service le
plus proche?
oo ay luh-stah-see-ohn luh ploo
prosh?
Where is the closest gas
station?
O puis-je prendre la voiture
?
oo pwee-zhuh prohn-druh Where do I pick up the
car?
Quand dois-je la rendre ? kahn dwah-zhuh lah rohn-druh When do I have to
return the car?
Out and About
Dining Out
Regardless of your business in France, you will need to eat while
you're there. Something to remember is that tipping is strictly
optional in France - it is completely acceptable to not leave a tip.
Ordering in French
French Pronunciation English
J'ai termin zhay tair-mee-nay I am finished
Je vais prendre zuh vay prohn-druh I'll have. . .
Je voudrais zhuh voo dray I would like
L'addition, s'il
vous plat
lah-dee-see-ohn see-
voo-play
The check please
Je n'en peux plus zhuh nohn puh ploo I'm full
Je vous coute zuh vooz-ay-coot What would like (less formal)?
la carte lah cahrt What American speakers would call 'the menu.'
le menu luh meh-noo The fixed-price menu; offers two or more
course meals for a fixed price
Servis compris sair-vee cohm-pree service charge included (takes the place of a
tip)
At the Hotel
Remember in France that you may need to request a bathroom and
shower in your room if that's what you expect. It is not at all
uncommon for guests to have to share a bathroom or walk down
the hall to the showers.
Accomodations
French Pronunciation English
Avez-vous une piscine? ah-vay voo oon pee-seen Do you have a pool?
Complet cohm-pleh There's no vacancy.
Je vais payer en espces zhuh vay pay-yay ohn eh-spehs I'll pay cash
Je voudrais tre rveill six
heures
zhuh voo-ray eh-truh ray-vay-yay
ah seez-ur
I want a six o'clock
wake up call.
Je voudrais une chambre deux
lits
zhuh voo-dray uhn shom-bruh ah
duh lee
I'd like a room with
two beds
Je voudrais une chambre avec
une douche dans la chambre.
zhuh voo-dray oon shom-bruh ah-
vek oon doosh dahn la shom-bruh
I'd like a room that
has a shower in it.
Quelle est l'heure limite
d'occupation ?
kell ay lur lee-meet doh-coo-pah-
see-ohn
When is check-out?
Daily Activities
These phrases come in handy no matter where you are, or what
you're doing.
Miscellaneous Useful Phrases
French Pronunciation English
Combien cote. . . cohm-bee-ehn coot How much does ______ cost?
Miscellaneous Useful Phrases
French Pronunciation English
Je cherche. . . zhuh shairsh I'm looking for. . .
Je suis perdu zhuh-swee pair-doo I'm lost
O se trouve. . . oo suh-troove Where is. . .
Pouvez-vous m'aider? poo-vay voo med-ay Can you help me?

French Vocabulary Lists
Memorizing French Vocabulary Lists
Truthfully, it's almost fruitless to simply memorize a list. Most
people need some type of mnemonic device in addition to seeing the
word in context. The best way to learn a foreign language is to learn
it like you would your own language. Babies pick up their native
language through the context of every day life. Likewise, if you can
apply and use the vocabulary in context, you will be much more
successful in mastering the language.
Another useful tip to remember is that memorizing verbs and
adjectives will typically be more helpful than memorizing
many nouns. You can always point to something you don't know
how to say, or describe it, but it is more difficult to describe
something without verbs and adjectives. The following French
vocabulary lists are organized according to subject.
How do You Feel?
Words that Describe How You Feel
English French Pronunciation
I am hot J'ai chaud zhay show
I am cold J'ai froid zhay fwah
I am thirsty J'ai soif zhay swahf
I am hungry J'ai faim zhay feh
I am sleepy J'ai sommeil zhay so may
I am sick Je suis malade zhuh swee mah lahd
I don't feel well Je ne me sens pas bien zhuhn muh sohn paw bee ehn
I'm great Je vais bien zhuh swee bee ehn
I am sad Je suis triste zhuh swee treest
I'm sorry Je suis dsol(e) zhuh swee day so lay
I am angry Je suis fch(e) zhu swee fah shay
I am embarrassed Je suis embarrass(e) zhu swee ohm bah rha say
He/she is nice Il/elle est sympathique el ay sehm pah teek

Descriptions
Remember that in french, the gender of the noun and the adjective
must agree. Therefore, you'll see two versions of most words with
the feminine version or pronunciation being in parentheses.
Descriptive Adjectives
English French Pronunciation
Big grand(e) grahn(d)
Small/short petit(e) puh tee(t)
Tall grand(e) grahn(d)
Short court(e) coor(t)
Fat gros(sse) groh(s)
Thin (a person) maigre maigrhuh
Young jeune zhun
Old vieux(vieille) vee uh(vee ayeh)
Pretty (cute) jolie zho lee
Beautiful beau (belle) bo (bell)
Ugly laid(e) leh (d)
Nice (a person) sympathique* sahm pah teek
Mean(as in a person) mchant(e) may shohn
Smart intelligent(e) ehn tell ee zhehn(t)
Dumb idiot(e) ee dee oh (oht)

Notes
Petit is used for both something that is little and a person
who is short. However, court is used to describe other things
as short such as a period of time or hair length.
While sympathique is the typical word used to describe
someone as nice, you can also use the words gentil (-
le) and aimable.

How's the Weather?
Most expressions that describe weather use the irregular
verb faire + adjective. However, when you are saying you are hot,
cold, etc., you always use the verb avoir. For
Expressions About the Weather
English French Pronunciation
It's cold Il fait froid eel fay fwah
It's raining Il pleut eel pleuh
rain (noun) la pluie lah ploo ee
It's snowing Il neige eel nezh
the snow la neige lah nezh
It's hot Il fait chaud eel fay sho
summer l't (masculine) lay tay
autumn l'automne (masculine) lah tumm
winter l'hiver (masculine) lee vair
spring le printemps luh prehn tehm






Colors
Here is a list of basic colors.
Colors
English French Pronunciation
red rouge rooghe
pink rose rhose
black noir(e) nwahr
white blanc (-he) blohn (-sh)
orange orange oh rahnzhe
green vert (-e) vair (t)
yellow jaune zhone
blue bleu(e) bluh
purple violet(te) vee oh lay